Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information

Updated 03/04/2020

Disclaimer

Leicester Fire Department has created this page as an effort to keep our community members and visitors aware of the effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) to our area.  This page will not be maintained regularly, but will provide general information and links to up-to-date information regarding the virus.

Important Information

First and foremost, do not panic.  As of March 3, 2020, Buncombe County Health & Human Services has stated “There are NO presumptive positive or confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Buncombe County.”  We recommend that you follow all recommended guidelines published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Resources from the CDC are linked below.

What is the Coronavirus?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

More information can be found on the CDC’s Fact Sheet:
English  |  Spanish
What is the Coronavirus?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

More information can be found on the CDC’s Fact Sheet:
English  |  Spanish

There are no current treatments for 2019-nCoV, so it is important to notify your healthcare provider if you have traveled and are experiencing any of these symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Difficulty breathing

Since it is cold and flu season, you may experience similar symptoms to the Coronavirus. At this point, unless you have traveled to affected areas in the world, there is little concern for exposure to 2019-nCoV.

What’s My Risk?

While CDC considers this a very serious public health threat, based on current information, the immediate health risk from Coronavirus Disease 2019 is considered low at this time.  This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation and CDC will continue to provide updated information as it becomes available.

How Can I Protect Myself?

CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
  • Avoid touching eyes, noes, and mouth;
  • Wash hand with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Resources

Links

General information about COVID-19 in North Carolina can be found by visiting this link or calling the NC Division of Public Health hotline at (866) 462-3821. They will answer your question or triage your concern accordingly.

We are working closely with the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Buncombe County Health & Human Services (HHS) Department, Buncombe County Emergency Services, and the NC Office of Emergency Medical Services (NC OEMS) to stay abreast of any changes changes and guidelines. ◼